Democratic legislators in blue states are unhappy with the governor because the homeless council cannot explain how $20 billion was spent.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism from California Democrats after his homelessness council failed to track the effectiveness of the billions of dollars spent on addressing the homelessness crisis in the state over the past five years. Democratic Assemblymember Phil Ting expressed frustration at a budget committee hearing, demanding to know how many people have been helped and how many have been taken off the streets. The lack of clear metrics on the spending of over $20 billion since the council’s inception raised concerns among lawmakers. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (CICH) admitted to facing data quality issues, leading to the absence of concrete numbers on the impact of the funds spent.

As the state grapples with a significant budget deficit, lawmakers fear that the lack of accountability for the homelessness programs could hinder requests for additional funding from multiple cities struggling with the crisis. California has the highest number of homeless individuals in the country, with over 181,000 people living on the streets. A recent report by the state auditor revealed that state agencies have collectively spent $24 billion in state funding on various programs aimed at addressing homelessness, with the CICH responsible for coordinating these efforts.

However, the audit found that the council failed to consistently track the outcomes of the programs and did not evaluate the effectiveness of the spending. This lack of oversight has raised concerns about the cost-effectiveness of the state’s homelessness programs. Despite the substantial investments made between 2018 and 2023, homelessness has continued to rise in many cities, with a 53% increase since 2013.

In response to the audit findings, Governor Newsom emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of housing laws to address the crisis. He announced plans to expand the Department of Housing and Community Development agency to ensure cities comply with regulations on building new homes. Newsom expressed determination to hold cities accountable for meeting housing targets, signaling potential legal action against those failing to do so.

The lack of transparency and accountability in tracking the effectiveness of state funds allocated to combat homelessness has sparked concerns among lawmakers and citizens alike. With billions of dollars spent without clear evidence of progress, the need for greater oversight and evaluation of programs has become imperative. As California continues to grapple with one of the most severe homelessness crises in the nation, the call for increased accountability and transparency in addressing this pressing issue has never been more critical.